Your CV Writing Checklist

You have entered all the relevant information in your CV but it still isn’t time to relax!

Even the most conscientious individual is capable of making a mistake that could damage their job prospects.

To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, read through our CV writing checklist and be 100% certain your CV is ready to go.

CV Layout

• Are you using a font such as Cambria or Times New Roman in size 10 or 11?
• Are you sure you only used one font throughout the CV (or a maximum of two)?
• Are all the tabs properly aligned?
• Did you use high quality printing paper? (For applications sent by post)
• Have you divided the CV into the proper sections?
• Is there adequate space between each section?
• Does the relevant information become apparent when you ‘skim’ the text?
• Have you included bullet points where needed?
• Is the CV a maximum of 2 x A4 pages in length?
• Is the most relevant information on the first page?
• Have you checked the CV manually for spelling and grammar?
• Have you asked somebody else to check it for you?
• Did you use bold text for headings and italics on information you want to stand out?
• Did you make sure there isn’t too much white space at the end of the CV?

CV Sections

Personal Details

• Have you made sure all your details are correct and up to date?
• Did you use a professional email address?
• Did you avoid including information such as your ethnicity, date of birth and place of birth?

Personal Profile

• Did you include this section in your CV?
• Did you reflect upon your key skills and experiences?
• Did you keep this section short? You will be able to expand on it later.

Education

• Have you added the educational institutions in reverse chronological order?
• Did you make sure to only include details from college and secondary school?
• Did you outline relevant modules/achievements gained through education?

Work History

• Have you included the work experience most relevant to the job opening?
• Did you keep your list of previous employers down to no more than 3-4?
• Have you outlined the responsibilities of your jobs in relation to the job vacancy?
• Were you specific when it comes to outlining how you benefited your past employers?

Skills/Achievements

• Did you remember to include skills were mentioned in the job opening?
• Have you included hard and soft skills?
• Did you include transferable, job related and adaptive skills?
• Have you included any relevant professional qualifications?
• Have you provided evidence to showcase your skills?

Hobbies & Interests

• Did you include a wide range of hobbies?
• Are your interests social and active rather than being entirely solitary?
• Have you shown evidence of real commitment to at least one activity?
• Do you have any interests that are relevant to the job?

References

• If required, have you included the details of two professional references?
• Have you told your referees to expect a call?

Final Tips

• Have you made sure that everything in your CV is completely true?
• Did you tailor your experience, qualifications and skills to the job you’re applying for?
• Have you used positive ‘action’ words throughout your CV?
• Critically analyse your CV; does it stand out?
• Did you include ‘keywords’ in your CV?